Sunday, July 06, 2008

Prospects from the Brewers

The Brewers bring in the biggest player likely to be traded this season (unless somebody makes Vince McMahon an offer for Paul Wight).

The top prospect going to the Indians is last year's draft pick, Matt LaPorta, who might take over first base as early as tomorrow and is a potential middle of the order bat. I ran some updated projections for LaPorta, and for two prospects who din't go anywhere, shortstop Alcides Escobar and hitter Mat Gamel.

LaPorta: 242/330/417Gamel: 270/341/429Escobar: 252/283/335

Cleveland is a tougher place to hit than Milwaukee, primarily because it's in the superior American league. LaPorta on the Brewers hits 251/343/451, so the Indians can claim to have landed the top hitting prospect. Both are 1B/DH types who have tried to play elsewhere so far. Escobar is a top defensive shortstop, and his numbers make me think of Erick Aybar.

Some other projections:Dallas McPherson: 222/318/441. He's got 29 homers this year, but hitting in probably the best hitter's park in the PCL. He still strikes out too much to be a good hitter, but if the Marlins give him a chance he could have a Russ Branyan-streak in him. He's always been pretty much a clone of Branyan, with a better glove and a worse back.

Nelson Cruz: 252/333/458 He's killing AAA pitching but his track record isn't that great, could just be a career year. He'll probably get a chance someday and be productive, like Marcus Thames and Ryan Ludwick, but it's impossible to know when that chance will come.

Brett Gardner: 252/343/347 Good job kid, you just beat Papelbon. Yankee fans might hope he's the Yankee answer to Ellsbury, but he probably just isn't as good, and it shows in his strikeout total. He has improved quite a bit in the last year though, showing an ability to draw walks and going from zero power to just a wee bit of power. Most comparable player: Reggie Willits.